I found it interesting that the Lexus VP at the intro said that the IS will be based on a modified version of the GS platform. Does this platform have a name? (a la "FM")

I wonder if Lexus will use an extended version of the GS platform for the 2007 LS.

 

Well it's just as like the GS sharing a modified chassis of the Crown Athlete, Mark X in Japan using the GR series V6's. Nothing really new to Toyota/Lexus.

 

I doubt it will be *****d like FM is. But as Flip stated, they share parts, just not obviously, they are still a business.

 

are there any High Quality pictures of it?

LEXUS JUST OPENED A MINI SITE FOR THE NEW IS

http://www.lexus.com/2006is_preview/

*LINK FIXED*

 

whats the wheel options look like it said on the preview site standard 17" optional 18". and why are HID's an option now? weird

 

I wonder what the "Sport Package" will be...

 

Bi Xenon/AFS meaning the high beam and AFS will be optional. HID should be standard issue across the board, but if you want hid highs and AFS, it will be optional.

 

Okay, I'll 'fess up and admit to being one of the IS350 "300+ hp" doubters. I still don't really believe it, but the disbelief now is more from shock than from skepticism.

Sick, I would usually agree that when something is touting value, you're "getting what you pay for," but don't most people here on CL crow over the value that Lexus vehicles provide compared to the Germans? I seem to recall a thread here giving props to the many "value" Toyota/Lexus selections by some magazine...

flip, it seems from the press release that it won't be a true manual transmission with a stick, but rather an SMG-type transmission. It's still technically a manual transmission, as long as there's no torque converter, but it's certainly not the MT that most of us wanted.

The weight numbers do make the car seem piggish, but hopefully, for future IS MkII owners, those figures were for fully-loaded vehicles...

Lack of true MT in the top of the liner is still a huge disappointment. I think I'd have to agree with the poster who said that it seems like more of a car targeted at MB than at BMW. "Nice and luxurious on the inside, with lots of HP, and no stick." If someone said that to me, the first thing I'd think is MB. Oh well, hopefully Lexus throws driving enthusiasts a bone and offers a MT in a year or so, much like they did with MkI.

 

Will the IS350 Coupe be called the IC350 or IS350C?

 

From what we' ve heard so far, it isn't even clear that there will be a regular coupe, but it seems like there will be a hardtop convertible version like the LF-C concept, personally I hope they'll offer both versions.
As for nomenclatures, I think IC350 sounds pretty bad to me

 

I think it is some type of dual bulb or dual element HID low beam. AFS just gives it the ability to turn on a horizontal axis. This feature will arrive first on the '06 SC430 refresh with the new 6 speed transmission in September. Should be on all future models except the taller SUV's.

 

That's right. HID high and low beams.

 

guys, pictures dont do it justice...I saw it in person at the show, its simply gorgeous and elegant....the lines on the car are so curvacious and pure Lexus....what an amazing job well done by Lexus on this model....

the IS350, IMHO, will shoot to the top of its class in 2006....

MY PICTURES FROM THE DEBUT YESTERDAY, I WAS FRONT AND CENTER!

 

 

How about SC350? There was a SC300 once....